Obituary of Theresa Mattie

Mary Theresa Mattie, 87, of Antigonish, resident of HighCrest Home, and formerly of Mattie Settlement, Antigonish County, peacefully passed away on March 6, 2022, surrounded by her children in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit.

Born in Grosvenor, NS on November 7, 1934 to Mary Agnes (McKeough) and Archibald McKeough Sr., most of Theresa’s life was spent working at home taking care of her family. In the late 50s and early 60s, she was employed at the Mulgrave Fish Plant. Later in the 70s, she cared for people in her home, giving top-notch care and kindness. In the 80s she worked in the office at the Met Store on Main Street then returned home to continue caring for others. Theresa was a woman who was deeply devoted to her faith and showed this by the giving of herself to others.

To know Theresa was to love her. When you stepped through the entrance of her home with her husband, Walter, in Mattie Settlement, you were embraced by hospitality, cheer, and phenomenal cooking. The youngest of her family, Theresa always looked after her siblings, parents, aunts, uncles, and family friends. She was dedicated to caring for all of them throughout her life and had a special place in her heart for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren who she loved dearly.

Theresa was a long-time member of the Tracadie Parish Council and the Tracadie CWL, holding many positions within the organization including a role as the president for eight years. She was the first president of the Tracadie and District Voluntary Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, where the main responsibility was to help raise money for the local fire department. Theresa also volunteered her cooking services for many years to the St. Augustine’s Monastery and later at Our Lady of Grace. 

Theresa was interested in politics at all levels of government, particularly at the local level, and made it very clear that she was partial to the color red. She loved to joke and have fun regardless of the situation and could always make you smile. She was well-known for her quick wit and scrappy comebacks. Being a devout fan of the Montreal Canadiens, Theresa enjoyed many an evening cheering for her team, and when not watching the games, spent her evenings watching hockey games, playing bingo and cards, and it was rare she ever lost a game. She also shared her knowledge and passion of fishing to her children, grandchildren, and local children, most importantly how to bait your hook and how to get the best worms. Most of all, she enjoyed sharing the greatest gift of giving the best of herself to others through kindness and caring. We will miss her more than words can say.

Theresa is survived by her children Gary, Mattie Settlement, Debbie (Allan), Antigonish, and Glenn (Joann), St. Lazare, QC; grandchildren Yvonne (Adrian), Constable Jennifer Mattie, Paige, Matthew, Ashley, and Samuel; great-grandchildren Kiana and Alex; sisters-in-law Kaye, Theresa, Josephine, and Dora, and several nieces, nephews, and many, many great friends. She was predeceased by her husband Walter, her parents, and her brothers and sisters.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation Thursday, March 10, from 2-4pm and 7-9 pm in MacIsaac Funeral Home in Antigonish. The family requests that proof of vaccination be presented to attend visitation. Funeral mass 11 am Friday, March 11, in St. Peter’s Church, Tracadie, presided by Rev. John Barry. COVID protocols will be in place. Memorial donations can be made to the Inpatient Palliative Care Unit at St. Martha’s Hospital or the Canadian Diabetes Association. 

The family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to Dr. Allie Freeman, Dr. Jane Ann Howard, her family physician Dr. Patty Menard, and the entire compassionate and thoughtful staff of the Palliative Care Unit at St. Martha’s.